The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Amherst groomer sees a variety of animals
Groomer gives variety of pets just what owners are looking for
Lydia Fox of Lydia’s Pet Grooming says she grooms to the owner’s specifications — ‘it’s custom cuts’.
An Amherst pet grooming business prides itself on being able to groom a variety of different animals.
“We groom dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, birds; our motto is ‘big or small, we groom them all,’” said Lydia Fox, owner of Lydia’s Pet Grooming at 7509 Leavitt Road. “We do a variety of different cuts.
“Some owners prefer them to be pet quality over breed quality. Price can be a factor, but the main reason is some owners may want a specific cut for a certain breed.”
Fox said she grooms to the owner’s specifications.
“For example, the owner of the dog I’m doing right now wants long hair on the ears, she wants the body short and the hair a little longer on the head,” she said. “It’s custom cuts. It all depends on what the owner wants.”
Fox said the price varies based on size.
“It depends; everyone prices differently,” she said. “I price small, medium and large and extra large.
“Small dogs are $45. That group includes your Chihuahuas, teacup poodles and all of the other tiny two- to three-pounders. Medium-sized dogs are $55. You then have your cattle dogs, your labs, your goldens (retriever); those are $80.
“For Saint Bernard’s and Newfoundland’s, they start at $150. The difference in price is simply because it takes longer the larger the dog is. We also do breedspecific grooming and offer other services like nail trimming, blow drying, hair brushing and have their ears cleaned.”
Fox said she does the total package under one price point.
Fox said she likes being at her current location and doing business in Amherst.
“I’ve been in this building for three years,” she said. “I was leasing a space that I was working out of for a couple of years.
“I grew out of the room I was in, so I wanted to get out on my own. I also had time working in a vet’s office in Rocky River, but I’ve settled in this spot ... and it’s the right amount of room.”
Fox said the benefit of having her groom your pet is for the simplicity and service.
“It’s one price for everything,” she said. “It’s the personal service. I’ve been known as the one that deals with the dogs that won’t behave.
“The corporates won’t deal with difficult dogs, but I do. For me, folks need to make an appointment. They come in at a certain time, I do the grooming and then they leave. It’s similar to people getting haircuts.”
Fox said she’s only open three days a week to accommodate for the novel coronavirus.
“We are open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the time being,” she said. “I was closed for a little over a month for the virus.
“I used to go Monday through Friday, but less days is a way to help with the curve.
“I have advocated that groomers are essential because we notice certain things, that an owner might not know about, that a vet should take a look at.
“So, it’s really important to have pets groomed on a regular basis.”
“I have advocated that groomers are essential because we notice certain things, that an owner might not know about, that a vet should take a look at. So it’s really important to have pets groomed on a regular basis.”
—Lydia Fox